What is the detailed ruling on celebrating Christmas (the Christian New Year)?

It is forbidden for Muslims to participate with the People of the Book in celebrating Christmas or to congratulate them on it, because it is among the rituals of their false religion. This is indicated by:

1. The Quran: Allah says: "And those who do not bear false witness; and when they pass by ill speech, they pass by with dignity" (Al-Furqan:72). False witness has been interpreted as referring to the festivals of the polytheists. 2. The Sunnah: The hadith of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said about the two days of Jahiliyyah: "Indeed, Allah has substituted for you something better than them: the day of Al-Adha and the day of Al-Fitr," which indicates abandoning the festivals of Jahiliyyah. 3. Consensus (Ijma'): The Salaf did not participate with the People of the Book in their festivals, and Umar stipulated that the People of Dhimma (protected non-Muslims) should not display their festivals. 4. Analogy (I'tibar): Festivals are part of religious practices, and agreeing with them can lead to disbelief. Moreover, agreeing with them on their festival, which is part of their cursed religion, exposes one to Allah's wrath and legitimizes a small act that can lead to many others.

It is not permissible to congratulate them on their festivals because they are rituals of disbelief, and they are unanimously prohibited. This is considered a greater sin than congratulating someone on drinking alcohol. It is not permissible to congratulate them in exchange for their congratulating us, for a Muslim does not congratulate on falsehood, and because their festivals are inseparable from sins and polytheism.